Virgin Trains Peak Easement for Railcard Holders

Came across this last week when travelling back and I was astounded this isn't publicised. Apparently as long as you are travelling on Virgin Trains only, you can purchase an off peak ticket and use it on peak time trains! Only restricted for certain rail card holders but amazing none the less. Peak fares are an eye sore so this is going some way to making things cheaper.

- ps not sure if this should go in deals but thought it might be appropriate to get the most publicity and help most! Mods feel free to move!

"There has been some confusion on the use of railcards on Virgin Trains Services.

To clarify, customers purchasing off peak ticket types SVS/SVR, which are discounted using 16-25, Senior, Disabled Persons, HM Forces and Family & Friends Railcard, can travel on Virgin Trains services at any time.

Groups

From the sounds of it, the blog post was from December 5th 2011. However, I can't see it any more.

I just tried a quote for a single from Euston to Manchester Picadilly for one adult and one child on a train at ~7am. The anytime ticket was £240. I then added a family railcard, and it let me choose an off peak ticket for £66.

26th Jan 2014

ahenry

From the sounds of it, the blog post was from December 5th 2011. However, … From the sounds of it, the blog post was from December 5th 2011. However, I can't see it any more.I just tried a quote for a single from Euston to Manchester Picadilly for one adult and one child on a train at ~7am. The anytime ticket was £240. I then added a family railcard, and it let me choose an off peak ticket for £66.

Yeah. The saving you can make is enormous! The policy is still in place and I used it for a train back from London to Coventry. You could ring up Virgin and double check but as long as its a Virgin only train, that policy applies.

26th Jan 2014

I can confirm that you can use a Young Person's Railcard with an Off Peak ticket on a Peak train.

It's great around the holidays because trains from London to the North-West get rammed when it turns Off Peak.

26th Jan 2014

thanks for the info and the post op

26th Jan 2014

So as long as your railcard qualifies you for this offer, you can chose the cheapest off peak service on a particular day, book it and then show that ticket and travel on a peak service?

26th Jan 2014

What are SVS SVR?The example doesnt make sense - why is Manchester and Bolton different?An example of this, a customer travelling Euston to Manchester with a railcard can travel anytime with SVS/SVR.

However, if a customer starts their journey at Euston travelling to Bolton and is travelling during the peak time, an off peak ticket will not be offered using any railcard.

Separate tickets would need to be purchased between Euston-Manchester and Manchester - Bolton if a customer wants to take advantage of travelling during the peak with SVS/SVR and a valid railcard.

26th Jan 2014

Excellent thanks op didn't know about this.

26th Jan 2014

mgk

What are SVS SVR?The example doesnt make sense - why is Manchester and … What are SVS SVR?The example doesnt make sense - why is Manchester and Bolton different?An example of this, a customer travelling Euston to Manchester with a railcard can travel anytime with SVS/SVR.However, if a customer starts their journey at Euston travelling to Bolton and is travelling during the peak time, an off peak ticket will not be offered using any railcard.Separate tickets would need to be purchased between Euston-Manchester and Manchester - Bolton if a customer wants to take advantage of travelling during the peak with SVS/SVR and a valid railcard.

Probably because Bolton isn't on the Virgin network. Its split ticketing. Book the Virgin part of the journey (London-Manc) as an off peak and the 2nd part (Manc-Bolton) as a peak and can travel the whole journey at peak time.

26th Jan 2014

Have been doing this for years, thought everyone knew about it.

16-25 railcard. Train to London was £210, now £45

26th Jan 2014

Does this work with advanced bookings? Or only for buying tickets on the day? I. E. I book an advanced ticket for say Friday at 9pm(off peak) from London Euston to Birmingham new Street. Can i just go to Euston with my ticket and travel on say the 6pm train?

26th Jan 2014

Also been doing this for years, once argued it out with a train conductor who I presume was new, she didn't believe me but went away to find out and never came back. Saves a fortune!

26th Jan 2014

When are the other Train operators following...

26th Jan 2014

please clarify as I'm a bit slow on the uptake. if I was to buy a ticket for s week for travel from Birmingham to euston on a 11.20 train could I use it on a,train that actually departs before 8am ? thanks

26th Jan 2014

I ment a ticket for a week day travel.

27th Jan 2014

watcher456

Does this work with advanced bookings? Or only for buying tickets on the … Does this work with advanced bookings? Or only for buying tickets on the day? I. E. I book an advanced ticket for say Friday at 9pm(off peak) from London Euston to Birmingham new Street. Can i just go to Euston with my ticket and travel on say the 6pm train?

It doesn't matter when you buy the Off Peak ticket, if you're a Railcard holder you can use this ticket at ANY time on a Virgin Train only. However Advance tickets are something completely different - these are for the BOOKED train only. But Railcard holders can still get a third off these too

27th Jan 2014

shanraja

please clarify as I'm a bit slow on the uptake. if I was to buy a ticket … please clarify as I'm a bit slow on the uptake. if I was to buy a ticket for s week for travel from Birmingham to euston on a 11.20 train could I use it on a,train that actually departs before 8am ? thanks

If you have a Railcard you can use an Off Peak ticket at ANY time on Virgin Trains.

27th Jan 2014

Will a off peak day return work?

27th Jan 2014

hi4565

Will a off peak day return work?

Not sure but I'd presume so. Might want to ring Virgin and check. I only got the open return which is valid for a month.

27th Jan 2014

Virgin is one of the only decent rail operators out there

27th Jan 2014

cheap-information

Virgin is one of the only decent rail operators out there

I'd disagree. I live in the north east and we have grand central rail. They are amazing, the trains are incredibly spacious and service is perfect

Having said that, they are the exception rather than the rule. Virgin charge a ridiculous premium for peak time trains!

27th Jan 2014

Wish i'd known about this a couple of years ago, would have saved a fortune commuting to my old job...

27th Jan 2014

what's Svr svv ?

27th Jan 2014

SVS SVR ? what are they ? (typo before sorry)

27th Jan 2014

shanraja

SVS SVR ? what are they ? (typo before sorry)

SVS = Saver Single - One Way Off PeakSVR = Saver Return - Off Peak Return

27th Jan 2014

Hi, Would appreciate it if someone could help answer this. If I have a Family and Friends Railcard will I have to have one if my children travelling with me to benefit from this? i.e benefit from travelling with a SV/SVR ticket during peak

27th Jan 2014

Vcd

Hi, Would appreciate it if someone could help answer this. If I have a … Hi, Would appreciate it if someone could help answer this. If I have a Family and Friends Railcard will I have to have one if my children travelling with me to benefit from this? i.e benefit from travelling with a SV/SVR ticket during peak

Yes!

28th Jan 2014

ciro2464

SVS = Saver Single - One Way Off PeakSVR = Saver Return - Off Peak Return

Added to description

1st Feb 2014

Hi, I have booked tickets from lanc to edinburgh at 1:15; a peak time. Will this work at a peak time like 16:08? It is a virgin train and I bought it with a 16 to 25 railcard. Should I ring virgin and check?

8th Feb 2014

cheap-information

Virgin is one of the only decent rail operators out there

And with their prices, they rip you off naked. Come on, in this country transport companies and energy companies rip people off like anything every year.